MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Looking for something thought-provoking to do on Heritage Day, 24 September?
You are invited to attend a talk by archaeologist Dr Peter Nilssen, at the Dias Museum at 09:00. It is free.
The Mossel Bay area is considered by scientists from across the globe as one of the focal points of human origins.
This is a unique and special recognition, of immense importance not only for Mossel Bay but for the Western Cape, for South Africa and for Africa.
The Cradle of Human Culture was launched in April this year and Pinnacle Point is still the only anchor site on the tourism route that is open to the public via organised tours by Point of Human Origins.
The Pinnacle Point Site Complex, along with Diepkloof Rock Shelter and Blombos Cave, are in the process of serial nomination for World Heritage Site status with UNESCO.
The caves at Pinnacle Point hold of the oldest evidence for the origins of all human beings across the entire planet. It does not matter who you are or where you come from.
The discoveries at Pinnacle Point and other South African archaeological sites as well as DNA findings point to the fact that we are all from the same source.
The initial discoveries at Pinnacle Point were made in 1997 by Dr Nilssen, a resident of Mossel Bay and Jonathan Kaplan from Cape Town.
Dr Nilssen and Prof Curtis Marean, of the Arizona State University, started research in the caves in 2000 and today the research project includes up to 50 top scientists from around the world. The project has received in excess of US$15 million over the last 20 years and research is ongoing.
Point of Human Origins is a tourism and education initiative that is exposing the general public, both South Africans and people from around the globe, to these important archaeological discoveries and the lessons we can learn from them. The presentations and tours have proved to be extremely informative and valuable to those who have attended, and according to visitor ratings on TripAdvisor, Point of Human Origins is now the number one outdoor activity in Mossel Bay.
To a large extent, many Mossel Bay residents are not fully aware of the significance of the above facts. With the support of Mbulelo Mrubata, manager of the Dias Museum in Mossel Bay, it was decided to arrange for a free event for Mossel Bay residents during Heritage Month.
At the Granary of the museum, Dr Nilssen will do a presentation about these discoveries coupled with an extremely interesting slide show.
This is a must for locals, who care about their home town and its heritage. There is limited seating available and bookings are essential so email info@humanorigin.co.za or call 079 640 0004 to book.
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